S H E L L E Y H R D L I T S C H K A
8
people hang out after school. Maybe you could meet some of
them, figure out where you might find a place to stay.”
“Thanks, sir. I’ll go straight there.”
He smiles at that. “You seem like a nice kid. I wish you
well.”
I’m astonished at the kindness in the man’s eyes. So much
for the Prophet’s lessons about gentiles. Jimmy always says
the Prophet was lying, and now I’m seeing it for myself.
I shoulder open the cab door and step to the ground,
being careful not to land on my sore ankle. When I look back
to say goodbye, the driver is taking his wallet from his pocket.
He pulls out a bill. “Buy yourself a T-shirt and some shorts,”
he says, handing it to me. “If there’s anything left over, you
can get a burger.”
I take the bill reluctantly and then look at the number in
the corner. One hundred dollars! “Are you sure?”
He nods. “I am. Just be sure to pay it forward when you’re
back on your feet. Best of luck to you. It’s not going to be
easy.”
I wave as the man maneuvers his eighteen-wheeler back
onto the road. He blows the horn twice.
I study the crisp bill in my hand. I’ve never seen so much
money, even though I’ve worked in construction for three
years. Almost all the money I made was paid directly to the
church or to my father.
It’s a short walk to the park. Mothers minding their small
children on the playground equipment eye me suspiciously.
I decide to head to the river. There I sprawl under a massive
